Inaugural Kick Off to
be Held on the Steps of the Lincoln MemorialInaugural Eve to Feature Concert for
America's Children

Washington, D.C. -- The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) will
host a welcome event to kick off the 56th Presidential Inauguration at
the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday, January 18th. The PIC also
plans to hold a youth concert on the evening of Monday, January 19th,
at the Verizon Center in downtown Washington. Sunday's welcome
event and Monday's concert will continue President-elect Obama and Vice
President-elect Biden's commitment to hold an Inauguration that is
open, accessible and reflects a spirit of unity for Americans of all
ages.

The afternoon welcome event, to be held on the steps of the Lincoln
Memorial at the west end of the National Mall, will be free and open to
the public. Dedicated to the memory of America's 16th President,
the Lincoln Memorial has been the site of many Presidential
Inauguration activities in recent years. President Clinton held a
free concert on the grounds in 1993 that included performances by
Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, and Bob Dylan. In 2001, President-elect
Bush kicked off his inaugural festivities at the site with performances
by Ricky Martin, Charlotte Church, and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The PIC is also pleased to announce that a concert for America's
children will be held the night before the Inauguration, Monday,
January 19th. The concert will be free, but tickets will be
required. Further details of the welcome event, concert and other
inaugural activities will be made available in the coming weeks.

For the latest information on the 2009 Presidential Inauguration,
please visit www.pic2009.org.